Titanfall's First Map Pack Drops In May, Free Updates Coming Soon

Titanfall is about to see some rather larger content updates for PC and Xbox One, both paid and free. The biggestnews is that the first downloadable map packhas been announced for the game. Due out in May, the first offering is called “Expedition” and will be $10 for three new maps.

Respawn is also promising free updates to the game including new game modes like 2v2 Last Titan Standing, additional Titan-themed burncards, and Titan insignias. Additionally, they’re tweaking matchmaking so you’re better able to find private games you like, and they’re introducing “rifts” which will be slightly modified versions of existing game modes.

It’s clear that Respawn is listening to feedback from players who are troubled by certain aspects of the game, or are just bored with it already, a few weeks after launch. Titanfall has seen a fairly substantial drop in buzz even as it rode a tide of praise and high review scores at launch. Respawn won’t let the game fade, and I expect there will be many, many more updates to come until Titanfall 2, whenever that may be.

Ironically, I think the one thing that Titanfall wasn’t scarce on was maps, as the game launched with a boatload. I do think there could have been a bit more size diversity, as every map was constrained by the need to accommodate 6v6 Titan/Pilot play. Other games may have small map scrambles or huge big team open expanses, but Titanfall is sort of restricted by its format, which so far has mostly ruled out too much size variation.

I’m not quite sure why there are some people deeming $10 for the three maps “overpiced” in the wake of this announcement. That’s pretty standard pricing for a map pack in this day and age, and while yes, it’s great there are other games out there offering tons of free updates, maps and everything else, it’s not exactly the norm. And Titanfall is adding additional game modes and such for free (as they should) so really, I don’t see anything out of the ordinary with their DLC strategy here.

I maintain that I would love to see a DLC campaign for Titanfall at some point. A true campaign, not more missions where radio broadcasts shout at you as you play, and you’re unable to decipher what’s going on, nor actually influence the story in any way. Even a 90 minute/two hour campaign would be something to give the Titanfall universe a bit more depth. Right now, all most of us know (who haven’t read wikis) is that some big robots are battling on some dangerous planets. Nearly all shooters have their iconic heroes introduced in campaign mode who set the stage for multiplayer, and I do think that’s something Titanfall’s lacking. I know that they would take flack from fans for a “campaign sold separately,” but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t sell and help the game’s universe in the long run.

It will be interesting to see how Titanfall continues to evolve as time goes on and the game matures. I think Respawn has learned a lot of lessons since launch, and we’ll see them constantly working toward patching and updating the game into something people want to play all year long, not just the first few weeks after release. It can be that game, it just needs a bit of work to get there.

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